In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
We sent forth Noah to his people, and he said: “My people! Worship God alone, for you have no deity other than Him. Will you not be God-fearing?”
The unbelieving elders of his people said: “This man is but a mortal like yourselves who wants to make himself superior to you. Had God willed, He would surely have sent down angels. We have never heard anything like this ever happening to our forefathers. He is but a madman; so bear with him for a while.” He said: “My Lord, help me against their accusation of lying.” We revealed to him to “build the ark, under Our eyes, and according to Our inspiration. When Our judgment comes to pass, and water gushes forth over the face of the earth, place on board this ark one pair of every species, as well as your family, except those on whom sentence has already been passed. Do not plead with Me for the wrongdoers; for they shall be drowned.
“When you and those who are with you are settled in the ark, say: ‘All praise is due to God who has saved us from those wrongdoing folk.’ And also say: ‘My Lord! Let my landing be blessed. You alone can make us land (in safety).’”
(The Believers, Al-Muminoon: 23: 23-29)
We commented last week on the first three verses in this passage, saying that all God’s messengers preached the same message, advocating the absolute truth of God’s oneness. However, Noah’s people were unable to see beyond their narrow interests and concerns, switching the argument from the great truth at its center to the person of the messenger preaching it. They then accused him of madness and advised each other to wait for his death.
At this moment Noah could not find any way by which he could soften such stone-hearted people. He could protect himself against their ridicule except by putting his complaint to God and seeking His support: “He said: My Lord, help me against their accusation of lying.”
When living people decide to freeze in this way, while life wants to move forward taking its way toward the high standard it can achieve, such people will constitute a clear impediment. Hence, they will either be broken or life will move on, leaving them in their position.
It was the first alternative that happened to Noah’s people who were still in the early period of human life. God willed that they should be removed from the way: “We revealed to him to ‘build the ark, under Our eyes, and according to Our inspiration.
When Our judgment comes to pass, and water gushes forth over the face of the earth, place on board this ark one pair of every species, as well as your family, except those on whom sentence has already been passed. Do not plead with Me for the wrongdoers; for they shall be drowned.”
It was God’s will that the road should be cleared of obstacles so that human life could continue its march along the road assigned to it. Humanity had become old at the time of Noah. It was like a young tree affected by a pest that stops it from growing.
It soon dries up and dies when it is still young. At the time of Noah, humanity was in a similar position. Therefore, the remedy was the great flood that takes away everything, washing off the soil and leaving the land ready for a new crop with healthy seeds and a clean environment.
“We revealed to him to build the ark, under Our eyes, and according to Our inspiration.” The ark was the means of safety at the time of the flood. It also served to preserve the seeds of life so that they could grow again. God has willed that Noah should make the ark with his own hands, because man must take responsible action and utilize all means, doing his utmost so that he would deserve God’s help. Divine help is not given to those who sit on their laurels waiting for something to happen. Since Noah was chosen by God to be the second father of humanity, God instructed him to take the necessary measures, helping him with His care and teaching him how to build the ark so that God’s purpose will be accomplished and His will is done.
God established a sign for Noah to start this total process of purification of the entire planet: “When Our judgment comes to pass, and water gushes forth over the face of the earth...” At this point Noah was to move quickly and place on board the ark the new seeds of life: “Place on board this ark one pair of every species.” These included all types of animals, birds and plants that were known to Noah at the time, and which man could easily handle. He was also to place on board “your family, except those on whom sentence has already been passed.” This is a reference to the unbelievers who denied the word of God and incurred His displeasure. They thus deserved to endure the working of God’s law that engulfed with His punishment those who persisted in denying His signs.
An order was given to Noah not to argue about anyone or try to save any person even though that person may be very close to him: “Do not plead with Me for the wrongdoers; for they shall be drowned.” God’s law does not try to appease anyone. It does not change its course for the sake of any friend or close relative.
The surah does not give any details here of what happened to Noah’s people after that. The whole matter is settled with the statement: “They shall be drowned.” Noah, however is taught how to show his gratitude to God and praise Him, seeking His guidance: “When you and those who are with you are settled in the ark, say: ‘All praise is due to God who has saved us from those wrongdoing folk.’ And also say: ‘My Lord! Let my landing be blessed. You alone can make us land (in safety).’” This is the right way to praise God and to turn to Him, giving Him His rightful attributes and acknowledging His signs. It is such humility before God that all people should show, including prophets, who give the lead for people to follow.
Arab News Islam 4 April 2003